WWE Grapples for Japan's Market

An Associated Press article examines the WWE's latest move into the new territory of Japan, as they try to make a push for more market share. On September 7, a special Summerslam Festival was held, which is a viewing event that charges fans $30 to attend. Fans then get to see previously aired Pay-Per-Views on big screen TV's, These events can be seen at home as well, but fans prefer to pay for the chance to see WWE superstars and official merchandise in person.

WWE believes Japan is its most important market overseas. There's just one ambassador the WWE has as far as wrestlers and that's Funaki, who spoke to the AP as well. Here's an excerpt from the article:

Japan has its own brand of professional wrestling that is less outrightly fictional than WWE. The WWE is open about how no real fighting is involved. But Japanese wrestling is historically inspired by its American counterpart and boasts its own heroes and themes.

WWE's only Japanese superstar is 40-year-old Shoichi Funaki, who goes by the ring name Funaki. He acknowledges that Japanese are just starting to enjoy WWE, with all its boisterous exchanges and flamboyance, complete with heckling.

"Japanese fans are changing," he told The Associated Press. "The key is to give them more opportunities to watch WWE. If they see it, they'll get it."

Read the full article here at Associated Press.